Mears resigns as Worcester Econ. Development director

(Jan. 12, 2018) Worcester County Economic Development Director Merry Mears has resigned with 30 days’ notice and will join Salisbury construction/real estate firm Devreco and Gillis Gilkerson as its chief development officer on Feb. 5.

“I think we can all look at the economy and see it’s good, and I’m keenly aware of how things are going,” Mears said. “I didn’t go looking, but when the opportunity made itself available because of the condition of the economy, I had to take a second look.”

After a few months of negotiations, a deal was struck.

Mears delivered her letter of resignation last week, and the company announced her new role on Jan. 8.

“I’m not only going to be working with Devreco and Gillis Gilkerson, but I’m entertaining the idea of becoming a commercial Realtor. It was a trifecta of opportunities. I didn’t want to sit in my chair after 10 years and think about ‘what if,’” she said.

County Administrator Harold Higgins said he wishes Mears the best and that County Commissioners would be discussing next steps at next Tuesday’s meeting.

Because “so much is going on,” Higgins said, Mears would be required to honor the full 30 days of notice that is customary for county department heads.

Mears said she would miss working on the proposed sports complex and the Step Up and Reach for the Stars program.

“We take youth and put them in touch with state and local leadership,” she said of Step Up and Reach for the Stars. “I got to witness tomorrow’s leaders meeting today’s.”

Mears joined Worcester County government in 2012 as deputy director of economic development under Bill Badger. After Badger resigned in September 2015, Mears was promoted to director the following month.

“As experienced development and construction teams with over three decades of experience, we are thrilled about the addition of Meredith,” Bradley Gillis, principal with Devreco and Gillis Gilkerson, said in a release. “Her years of experience leading economic development initiatives will further strengthen us as knowledgeable, reliable and trusted partners in development and construction processes for our clients.”